Herbal extract with antiviral properties

Abstract

Herbal extract compositions designed and used for the clinical management of HIV / AIDS, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria. Herbal extract compositions are any one of or any combination of Ficus exaspirata, Ficus asperifolia, Ficus sur and Sida acuta / Sida corymbosa. Methods of treating HIV / AIDS infection with herbal extract compositions are also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 591,939, filed on Jul. 29, 2004, which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a herbal antiviral extract. The composition may be used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) infection. BACKGROUND

[0003] In 2004, nearly 40 million people globally were estimated to be living with HIV. An estimated 25 million people were living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa and rates of infection are still on the rise. In fact, since the first clinical evidence of HIV in Nigeria in 1986, HIV seroprevalence has steadily risen from 0.1% in 1989 to 5.8% in 2002. Despite these rising numbers in certain parts of the world, treatment of patients infected with HIV has changed enormously in some countries. For example, new AIDS cases and deaths beg...